A biological soil detector is provided, comprising: a solid support member; a specific indicator immobilized on the solid support member; and a retaining member holding the solid support thereon, the retaining member and solid support configured to facilitate contact between the solid support a surface. A method for the use of the foregoing detector is also provided, the method comprising: contacting the foregoing biological soil detector with a surface wherein the contacting initiates the modification of the specific indicator in the presence of bio soil; withdrawing the biological soil detector from the surface; and inspecting the solid support member of the detector for a detectable response to thereby determine whether the specific indicator immobilized on the solid support has interacted with biological soil. In still another aspect, the invention provides biological soil detector and a method for using the detector wherein the detector comprises: a solid support member treated with at least one amine or quaternary functional coating; and a specific indicator immobilized on the coating.